World Class Redfish & Trout Weekend Charter Port Aransas
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning charter targets redfish, trout, and black drumFully equipped 24foot Haynie boat accommodates up to five guestsAll fishing gear provided with optional Port Aransas pickup available
There's nothing quite like spending your weekend morning chasing redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in the productive waters around Port Aransas and Rockport. Captain Larry knows these flats like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during this top-rated 4-hour charter. You'll fish from his fully rigged 24' Haynie—a boat that's built specifically for navigating shallow coastal waters and getting you to where the fish are biting. This trip books for two anglers, but Captain Larry can squeeze in up to three additional guests if you want to bring the whole crew along.
Your morning starts early, which is exactly when you want to be on the water targeting these inshore species. Captain Larry will have all the rods, reels, and tackle ready to go—you just need to show up with your fishing license, some drinks, and maybe a few snacks to keep your energy up. The Haynie 24' is the perfect platform for this kind of fishing, with a shallow draft that lets you get into those back-country spots where big reds like to cruise and speckled trout stack up around structure. If getting to the boat is a concern, Captain Larry offers pickup service from Fisherman's Wharf in Port Aransas for a small additional fee. The atmosphere is relaxed but focused—this is serious fishing in some of the best inshore waters on the Texas coast, and Captain Larry's local knowledge will put you in the right spots at the right time.
Inshore fishing around Port Aransas and Rockport is all about reading the water and adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Larry comes equipped with a variety of techniques depending on conditions—you might be throwing soft plastics around oyster reefs for redfish, working topwater lures over grass flats for trout, or bouncing bait along the bottom for black drum. The 24' Haynie gives you the versatility to fish everything from knee-deep flats to deeper channel edges where bigger fish often hold. You'll use medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle the fight these fish put up, especially when you hook into a bull red or oversized trout. Captain Larry provides all the terminal tackle, lures, and bait you'll need, and he's always adjusting the game plan based on tides, weather, and where the fish have been most active recently.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and the waters around Port Aransas hold some real trophies. These copper-colored fighters can range from schoolie-sized rats in the 16-20 inch range all the way up to bull reds that'll peel drag and test your mettle. Spring through fall offers the most consistent redfish action, but these fish can be caught year-round in this area. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive strike and powerful runs—when you hook one in shallow water, you'll know it immediately. They love structure like oyster reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs, and Captain Larry knows exactly where to find them based on tide and season.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are another customer favorite that patrol these waters. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted flanks typically run 14-18 inches, but the Port Aransas area is known for producing some real gator trout that can push 24 inches or more. Fall and winter months often provide the best trout fishing as water temperatures cool and baitfish concentrate. Specks are notorious for their soft mouths, so when you hook one, you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them to the boat. They're also excellent table fare, making them a double win for anglers who like to bring dinner home.
Black drum round out this trio of premier inshore species, and they're often overlooked despite being incredible fighters. These fish can range from smaller puppy drum up to massive bulls that can weigh 30, 40, even 50 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders that love crab, shrimp, and cut bait, often found around structure in deeper water. Black drum are available year-round but seem most active during cooler months. When you hook a big black drum, prepare for a long, powerful fight that'll test your tackle and your patience—these fish don't give up easily and will use their broad sides to fight the current.
Captain Larry's weekend inshore fishing charter offers world-class fishing in some of the most productive waters along the Texas coast. With all gear provided, flexible group sizing, and optional pickup service, this trip removes all the hassle and lets you focus on what matters—catching fish. The Port Aransas and Rockport area consistently produces excellent inshore fishing, and Captain Larry's local expertise gives you the best shot at landing your target species. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience the best of Texas inshore fishing, this 4-hour charter delivers the goods. Don't wait too long to secure your spot—the best fishing guides in this area stay booked up, especially during peak season.
Step aboard this well-equipped 2023 Haynie cat and get ready to work the productive waters around Port Aransas and Rockport. This 24-footer is rigged specifically for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in the shallow bays and grass flats that make this area famous. The boat comes loaded with GPS navigation to hit the right spots and a quality fish finder to locate holding fish. Built for the Texas coast, the Haynie's shallow draft design lets you access those skinny water honey holes where the big reds like to cruise. The spacious deck gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain Larry knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend your time fishing instead of searching. All the tackle is provided, so just show up with your license and cooler. Perfect setup for a serious morning of sight fishing and working the structure where these inshore species love to hang out.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90+ pounds. You'll find them cruising shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning around March. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear schools of them underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag, but keep smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get pretty tough. Here's a local trick: when you see muddy water stirred up on the flats, that's usually drum rooting around for food. Drop some fresh crab right in that mud cloud.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the superstars of our flats, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-32 inches in our area, and they love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. They bite year-round but really turn on during fall when they're feeding heavily. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight once hooked. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. My go-to technique is sight fishing with gold spoons or topwater plugs early morning. When you spot their tails up while feeding, cast past them and work your lure back slowly - they'll crush it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These spotted beauties love our grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes. They're most active during cooler months when water temps drop, and they'll move into deeper channels during winter. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. The meat is white, flaky, and mild-tasting, making them perfect for the dinner table. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. Pro tip: when the tide starts moving over shallow grass, throw a soft plastic under a popping cork and work it slow. The trout can't resist that wounded baitfish action.
Rockport, TX